XL: How to Compare Data in Two Columns for Duplicates

ID: Q139882

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

This article describes two methods for comparing two columns of data to find duplicate entries between the two columns.

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1: Use a Worksheet Formula

The following steps describe how to use a worksheet formula to compare the data in two columns:

In a new worksheet, enter the following data (leave column B empty):


      A1: 1   B1:     C1: 3
      A2: 2   B2:     C2: 5
      A3: 3   B3:     C3: 8
      A4: 4   B4:     C4: 2
      A5: 5   B5:     C5: 0

Type the following formula in cell B1:
=IF(ISERROR(MATCH(A1,$C$1:$C$5,0)),"",A1)

Select cells B1:B5. On the Edit menu, point to Fill, and then click Down.

The duplicate numbers are displayed in column B. The matching numbers will be put next to the first column as illustrated here:


   A1: 1   B1:     C1: 3
   A2: 2   B2: 2   C2: 5
   A3: 3   B3: 3   C3: 8
   A4: 4   B4:     C4: 2
   A5: 5   B5: 5   C5: 0

Method 2: Use a Visual Basic Macro

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http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

The following steps describe how to use a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macro (Sub procedure) to compare the data in two columns.

Enter the following code in a module sheet:


       Sub Find_Matches()

          Dim CompareRange As Variant, x As Variant, y As Variant

          ' Set CompareRange equal to the range to which you will
          ' compare the selection.

          Set CompareRange = Range("C1:C5")
          ' NOTE: If the compare range is located on another workbook
          ' or worksheet, use the following syntax.
          ' Set CompareRange = Workbooks("Book2"). _
          '   Worksheets("Sheet2").Range("C1:C5")
          '
          ' Loop through each cell in the selection and compare it to
          ' each cell in CompareRange.

          For Each x In Selection
              For Each y In CompareRange
                  If x = y Then x.Offset(0, 1) = x
              Next y
          Next x

      End Sub

In a new worksheet, enter the following data (leave column B empty):


      A1: 1     C1: 3
      A2: 2     C2: 5
      A3: 3     C3: 8
      A4: 4     C4: 2
      A5: 5     C5: 0

Select the range A1:A5.

On the Tools menu, click Macro, and select the macro "Find_Matches". (In Microsoft Excel 97 or Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, click the Tools menu, point to Macro, and click Macros. Then, select the macro "Find_Matches".) Click Run to run the macro.

The duplicate numbers are displayed in column B. The matching numbers will be put next to the first column as illustrated here:


   A1: 1   B1:     C1: 3
   A2: 2   B2: 2   C2: 5
   A3: 3   B3: 3   C3: 8
   A4: 4   B4:     C4: 2
   A5: 5   B5: 5   C5: 0

Additional query words: 8.00 XL98 XL97 XL7 XL5 match data

Keywords : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmHowto xlformula KbVBA
Version : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98; WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a; winnt:5.0
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbhowto